Sainsbury's has become the UK's largest retail user of anaerobic digestion after signing a deal which will result in all of its food waste being processed to produce renewable energy.

GENERAL MERCHANDISE

Sainsbury's to become largest retail user of anaerobic digestion

31 October 2011 | by The Retail Bulletin

Sainsbury’s has entered into a three year deal with waste management specialist Biffa where food waste unfit for consumption will be collected from Sainbury's distribution centres across the UK and sent for processing at AD plants around the country.

Neil Sachdev, Sainsbury's property director, said: "Anaerobic digestion is the most efficient way to create energy from waste, so this new contract means our food waste is being put to the best possible use.

"It has taken quite some time for us to get into a position where we are able to send all of our food waste to AD due to a lack of facilities in the UK. However, I am pleased to see that the waste industry is catching up with demand for this green technology.

"This new contract builds on our existing leadership position on AD, making us the largest retail user of AD in the country."

John Casey, director of engineering and quality at Biffa, said: "Anaerobic digestion is a key means of dealing with food waste - it is taking food that could once only be sent to landfill and turning it into something of value.

"We're very pleased to be working with Sainsbury's - our food waste collections are giving the company a real boost to help it meet its environmental targets."

Some of Sainsbury's waste will be sent to Biffa's 'super' AD plant in Staffordshire, which is the biggest in the UK, processing up to 120,000 tonnes of food waste from homes and businesses every year. The facility launched in June and has started to produce energy. At full capacity it is expected to produce renewable energy to power up to 10,000 homes.